obama, mr. president, honored guests, ladies and gentlemen, it's my privilege today to read selected portions of hebrews 11 which has been called the whole of faith. and i'll end with hebrews 12, verses 1-3 and verse 14. now, faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. by faith we understand that the universe was formed at god's command so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. and without faith it is impossible to please god, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who we werestly seek -- who earnestly seek him. by faith noah, when warned about things not seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. by faith abraham -- even though he was past age and sarah herself was barren -- was able to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise. by faith abraham, when god tested him, offered isaac as a sacrifice. he who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one